ORDER NUMBER
G-212-22
IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
British Columbia Utilities Commission Inquiry into the Acquisition of Renewable Natural Gas (RNG)
by Public Utilities in British Columbia
BEFORE:
D. M. Morton, Panel Chair
R. I. Mason, Commissioner
A. Pape-Salmon, Commissioner
on July 28, 2022
ORDER
WHEREAS:
A. By letter dated December 22, 2021, the BCUC established an Inquiry into the Acquisition of Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) by Public Utilities in British Columbia (Inquiry) and invited parties to provide submissions as laid out in the letter;
B. By January 31, 2022, submissions were received from the following parties:
• Movement of United Professionals (MoveUP);
• Commercial Energy Consumers Association of British Columbia (CEC);
• Pacific Northern Gas Ltd. (PNG);
• B.C. Sustainable Energy Association (BCSEA);
• Canadian Biogas Association (CBA);
• FortisBC Energy Inc. (FEI); and
• Residential Consumer Intervenor Association (RCIA).
C. By letter dated February 11, 2022, the BCUC provided the opportunity to file reply submissions, which were received by MoveUp, CEC, PNG, BSCEA, FEI and RCIA;
D. By letter dated March 24, 2022, the BCUC provided an update on the status of the Inquiry and notified parties that a draft inquiry report (Draft Phase 1 Report) and regulatory timetable seeking comments would be issued in due course;
E. On May 20, 2022, the BCUC issued the Draft Phase 1 Report with its preliminary findings and by Order
G-144-21, established a regulatory timetable which, among other things, sought parties’ submissions on the contents of the Draft Report and responses to specific questions;
F. By June 6, 2022, MoveUp, PNG, BCSEA, FEI and the RCIA filed their submissions on the Draft Phase 1 Report. On June 20, 2022, BCSEA filed its reply submission;
G. In the Draft Phase 1 Report, the Panel proposed a Phase 2 of the Inquiry;
H. By Order G-173-22 dated June 24, 2022, the BCUC adjourned the Inquiry for 30 days or until otherwise directed by the Panel; and
I. The BCUC has reviewed the submissions to date and makes the following determinations.
NOW THEREFORE for the reasons provided in the Decision issued concurrently with this Order, the BCUC orders the following:
1. Final Phase 1 Report is issued and Phase 1 of the Inquiry is complete.
2. A Phase 2 of the Inquiry will be added to this Inquiry and will commence by separate order.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 28th day of July 2022.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
D. M. Morton
Commissioner